Sometimes D. and I like to get “lost” and drive around Toledo neighborhoods we don’t regularly find ourselves. This weekend we ended up in the historic Woodlawn Cemetery and decided to explore a bit. As far as cemeteries go, Woodlawn is quite beautiful with it’s rolling hills and bridge-covered creek. I was not surprised to find the rural cemetery movement described as “pastoral oases in the midst of urban sprawl”. I would almost like to picnic there in the summer… maybe.

The most striking monument would have to be the pyramid (pictured above). We stopped to admire it for quite a while, wondering about it.

As it would happen, a couple days ago I was flipping through “You Will do Better in Toledo” (a new-ish book from The Blade) and came across some pages dedicated to John Gunckel, the founder of the Toledo Newsboys Association. To say “Gunck” was much loved would be an understatement and apparently over 1,500 Newsboys attended his funeral — each with a rock, which would be later used to construct this unique memorial.

The inscription reads, “The newsboys’ friend John Elstner Gunckel, 1846-1915. ‘There was a man sent from God whose name was John.’ Toledo honors: a citizen without reproach, a friend without pretense, a philanthropist without display, a Christian without hypocrisy.”

The Woodlawn Cemetery | 1502 W Central Ave. | (419) 472-2186

The Glass City, Toledo.

We visited Baker O’Brien at the Labino studio, her home in Grand Rapids, with a few of our good friends this Fall. Baker gave us a tour of her amazing home/studio and demonstrated glass blowing. We brought bottles of wine and were showered with great food—which happened to be catered by our friend R.’s mother-in-law. Baker is a very notable glass artist from our area, but I’ll just speak for myself in saying I left very inspired by the visit and loved sharing that experience with our friends.

Baker O’Brien’s Studio | By Appointment (419) 832-2105

Last night saw the 8th Meet & Greet event merge with the Arts Zone Third Thursday Art Walk. There was a bus loop going between aprox. 8 different stops, including the Parkwood Gallery, Collingwood Arts Center, UT’s Center for the Arts, and the Toledo Repertoire Theatre. Eleven galleries were open (to walk or bus to) and we started with Space 237 which had the Toledo AIGA’s “Design What?” show up.

We choose to ride our bikes rather than take the bus, which was a lot of fun and J. joined us. Biking downtown at night was pretty great with little-to-no traffic and breezy weather.

We ran into the great Toledo ambassador, John Henry Fullen at Erie Street Market. He was hosting 2 newcomers to Toledo, Kalpak and Lars (L to R. Kalpak, Jody, John Henry, Lars).

20 North is showing a tribute/retrospective to Joe Ann Cousino right now and I totally recommend you check it out. There is some great sculpture, photos, and news clippings exhibited.

D. got a treat when walking into the Blue Heron Gallery (@ The Oliver House). A watercolor in the hallway clearly showed his grandmother’s house/spa in Grand Rapids, The Kerr House. It was obviously before the renovations that happened in the late 70s. The artist, Jim Brower, was in attendance and D. was happy to meet him. His watercolors will be showing through September 29th.

Before making our way to the after party at The Blarney, we strolled down to the Morris Street Studios. There was live music outside the studio and also at the Blarney, which was packed full of people inside and out. Again, a great night out in Downtown Toledo.

Third Thursday Arts Walks | Every third Thursday through October | Live Work Create Toledo Arts Zone

Meet & Greets | Twice a year | Various locations in Toledo

I’m sorry to have been gone for the week but it’s much colder here right now than I’d like, so maybe that worked out for the best. Looking at the forecast I see the next few days won’t be much warmer. Rather than spending free time outdoors this weekend, I might re-watch “Two Toledos” — a documentary by Jacob David and Joel Washing.

Toledo, Spain and Toledo, Ohio were the very first Sister Cities relationship in the world (1931). Both cities host thriving arts communities. “Two Toledos” tells the stories of contemporary artists living in both Toledos, highlighting well-known locals Richard Reid, Ann Tubbs, Robert Garcia and others.

Learn more about this great documentary and score a copy at TwoToledos.com.

Golab is Joel Roberts and sometimes Jeff Loose and is one of the greatest things to come out of Toledo. Like ever. Last night they played with Enon on the East Side and it was great, again. Go see them.

Covering Billy Joel’s “Pressure” on the steps of the Toledo Museum of Art.

“Stoplight” in the garage-a-tudio.

They may include — but are not limited to — hot dogs, beer, cheese burgers cooked the way you like them, an untouched box of veggie burgers, a blazing chiminea, old friends, new friends (some babies), all good friends, and a freaking pirate pinata. These BBQs last aprox. 12 hours but when you drive by the next day, with your car full of plants from the Whiteford Nursery, there are still 5 or 6 people outside finishing off the keg. Aspirin recommended.

One of the first events I attended after moving to Toledo was the Meet & Greet 2. I had no choice; my husband helped organize it. He later told me that he might feel guilty in some way if I didn’t enjoy Toledo and that prompted him to get more involved in the arts community. Sweet, right?

It’s been many Meet & Greets later and I’ve meet some really great people at these events. They happen about twice a year, with a main hub location and several area galleries connected by a bus loop. It’s presented by the Arts Commission and staffed by volunteers. Of course it’s free… and so are the drinks (at least at the main hub). Meet & Greet 7 was in the Davis Building last Friday and it was just as fun as any of the previous M&Gs with live music and a bunch of new faces.

Pictured above are Michael Moriarty (L), owner of the Davis Building and Marc Folk (R), Executive Director of the Arts Commission.

Bookmark CallingAllCreatives.com and look out for the next event.